by Emma Dean
Mika slammed the book closed and checked the doors to the kitchen. “Could you please shut up? I don’t want people knowing,” she hissed. “This kind of magic is considered dark.”
“I thought Kenzie had a temper,” Finnick muttered.
“All right, I’m done. Let’s get the fuck out of here before Mika blows up the dormitory.” Audrey slammed her books closed and slipped them in her bag. “I’ll run these upstairs and then we can go.” Her dorm mate held out her hand for Mika’s book.
She couldn’t get away from all the listening ears and curious glances. It put her on edge and she hated it. The only reason she hadn’t already lost control was everyone was way more interested in the foxes than they were her.
“Hurry up,” Mika said, handing Audrey the blood magic book. “I’m not a certified babysitter.”
Hunter handed the Latin textbook over and eyed Mika like she was a tiny specimen that was surprisingly interesting.
She glared back at him. “Can I have my bracelet back?”
“You don’t even know if it works,” Hunter told her.
Mika held out her hand. “Are you offering to be my test subject again?”
“If you need me to be.” Hunter didn’t give her back the bracelet though. “You won’t be able to do battle magic if you wear it.”
“Audrey is the one trying out.” Mika tried to snatch it out of his grip, but Hunter was too fast and held it just out of her reach.
“Let’s go!” Audrey appeared in the kitchen entrance looking disheveled from running up and down all those stairs so quickly. She tossed Mika’s coat to her and jerked her head at the main entrance to their dorm. “The sooner we get out of here the better.”
Mika agreed. Three foxes cooped up in her dorm somehow made the massive house feel tiny.
Pulling on her coat she walked past Audrey and made a beeline for the door. Mika couldn’t wait to breathe in that freezing cold air and get some space between her and everyone else. Purposefully pulling the blood from Hunter’s skin had woken up her magic and it was pushing at her to do something.
She needed that damn bracelet back. Glaring at Hunter over her shoulder she pushed the door open and stepped outside.
Instantly the noise seemed to die down and Mika looked up at the cloudy, overcast sky. The sun was bright enough it wasn’t dark outside despite the storm brewing. Was Ethan somehow responsible? She should check on him soon.
Mika could practically feel her skin soaking up the rays. Closing her eyes she breathed deep, smelling the pine and the ocean.
The power in her veins settled a bit and she flexed her gloved fingers, easing the rest of the sensation.
“It really is beautiful here,” Hunter said quietly.
Finnick, Ash, and Audrey were arguing about what penis magic could potentially do if it were real as they all pushed past her.
Mika opened her eyes and narrowed them at Hunter, pulling her scarf up and over her mouth and nose. “I heard you were a scary asshole.”
Then he smiled and she could see the sharpness of his teeth up close. “I am.”
She eyed him and those teeth. His creepy smile was sharp and promised pain and death. But then Mika looked into his eyes. They were soft and gentle and kind when he looked at her. They filled with love and adoration when he looked at Kenzie.
What did this one want from her?
“You’re not scary,” Mika told him. “Or an asshole.”
That grin widened and she could easily picture blood dripping from those canines.
“I like you.” Hunter turned to look at the trees that were the beginning of the little forest on the island. “You’re not afraid of anything. Except yourself.” The flash of gold in his eyes came and went so fast she thought maybe she’d imagined it. “You’re helping Kenzie. So, I’m going to help you.” The way he repeated that, it was like he was trying to convince himself, not her.
“Are you guys coming?” Audrey called back. She practically ran through the snow with Ash and Finnick toward the trees and the cemetery hidden among them.
Mika fell into step next to Hunter. “How are you, a fox – no offense – going to help me?”
Hunter slipped his hands into his pockets as they walked. He was about the same height as her, maybe a little taller, which was kind of weird. Mika wasn’t used to being at eye-level with men.
The way he looked at everything told her he was constantly alert even though there was no chance anything could come after them here – not with all the wards centuries of witches had placed on the school.
“Blocks come in many shapes and forms,” Hunter finally said. “A therapist could fumble around and try to help you. Or you could get help from someone who can taste and read pain.”
Mika stumbled and nearly fell. “What?”
“Foxes feed on chaos and pain,” Hunter said simply, reaching out to steady her.
She jerked out of his grip, still not comfortable with anyone touching her. “How does that help me?”
He tilted his head at her then and smiled slightly. “Blocks are caused by pain. I can take that pain from you.”
That winter quiet settled around her again as she stared at Hunter in disbelief. “It’s not that simple,” she whispered.
“No,” he agreed. “But it would be a good start.”
Mika narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Did that demon put you up to this?”
Hunter growled slightly and started walking again. “As if that demon could make me do anything.”
At least they had that in common, and for some reason that made her feel better.
This shifter was going to help her.
Mika shook her head. Help had come from the most unexpected place – and all thanks to the threads that connected them. Kenzie had watched Mika and Selene grow up together, always there but always an outsider.
Then a demon had heard her say his name in the deepest bowels of the university and for some reason had been interested enough to check in on her. Instead of tearing Mika into tiny pieces when he’d showed up, he’d even given her a few book recommendations.
And thanks to that and Kenzie…a fox shifter, a supposed lesser shifter, was here willing to help her get rid of her block when she couldn’t trust anyone else – even with the contention between witches and shifters.
“Thank you,” Mika whispered, knowing Hunter could hear her with that shifter hearing of his.
His eyes flashed gold and then went back to normal again, even though he didn’t even glance at her. Mika appreciated the silence more than she would have a spoken acknowledgement.
“Are you ready?” Audrey called through the trees. And the words seemed to echo from everywhere at once.
Mika smiled slightly as the trees whispered their response.
For the first time in three years she felt like maybe—just maybe, she could find a way to control her magic, and regain everything she’d lost.
18
The cemetery was just as peaceful as it always was. Mika trailed her fingers over the top of one of the headstones, wishing for just a second that she could feel the snow. Brushing it off the top she went around to see whether it was a John or a Jane Doe.
Hunter never strayed too far from her. Mika wondered what his deal was. Clearly he had something in mind to help her through her block. Not only that, he wasn’t ready to give her back her bracelet. She wondered what that was about.
“Okay so, the opposite team stands behind the midfield line,” Audrey was explaining to Ash and Finnick. “There are fifteen of us on each team.” She started drawing lines in the snow and the other two foxes watched, completely fascinated.
“Not interested in battle magic dodgeball?” Mika asked Hunter, crouching in front of the grave to read the inscription. Some of them were super creepy.
None of the foxes were wearing coats. Hunter watched Audrey draw more lines in the snow, hands in his pockets. He shrugged one shoulder. “The concept is interesting. A healthy outlet for violence
is something I don’t think anyone should take for granted.”
Mika looked up at him in surprise. She supposed he was right.
In loving memory of John CCDV, his bones were the sweetest addition to my spell.
She stood and frowned down at the headstone. Who was in charge of these epitaphs?
“Not everyone needs a healthy outlet for violence,” Mika murmured, turning back to watch Audrey draw the other lines.
Hunter just gave her a look that said ‘don’t lie to yourself.’
Mika rolled her eyes. These fucking foxes were so invasive.
“So then, it’s basically dodgeball,” Audrey explained. “But so much crazier than in the human world. The team of fifteen is completely free to form up however they want as long as they follow the rules and guidelines. Non-lethal spells only, and they keep that to fifteen different offensive spells including, get this, fire. Three shields total.”
Ash eyed the length and width of the cemetery as she talked, as if imagining the whole thing.
“Unlike in human dodgeball,” Audrey said, now bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet in excitement. “You’re not considered ‘out’ until you’re knocked off the court and into the water.”
“You should try out for the team,” Hunter said quietly.
“Are you saying that as my wannabe mentor, or as some dude I’m supposed to be babysitting?” Mika glared at nothing in particular, wishing she had shifter speed so she could take her damn bracelet back.
“You could take it from me right now if you weren’t too afraid to use your own power,” Hunter murmured, looking up as an owl flew overhead.
How he knew what she was thinking…Mika didn’t bother asking. He was a weird guy.
“I want to see what you can do,” Hunter told her, jerking his head at Audrey. “Play a round with her and I’ll give you back your bracelet.”
Mika looked at the other witch and Audrey was grinning as Finnick showed her a move to combine with a spell. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks rosy from the cold. This girl had spent most of her teenage years in a psych ward being told magic wasn’t real and that she was just insane.
If she could get through that and come out the other side...maybe Mika could as well.
“One round,” Mika agreed. “But you have to let me test if the bracelet works on you.”
Hunter’s grin was sharp as he placed the silver bone bracelet on top of the nearest headstone. “Agreed.”
Tightening the scarf around her face and tying off one of the ends, Mika walked over to her side of the court and gave Audrey a nod. “Force me to shield,” Mika told her. “Use my weakness against me.”
Finnick and Ash grinned, jogging over to join Hunter to watch from the edge of the makeshift court.
Mika kept her gloves on, but slipped off her coat so she could move more easily. Despite being a game that uses magic, it was extremely physical. If she couldn’t dodge or attack, Audrey would win. Mika’s shields were little more than tissue paper.
As Audrey drew a spell into the air for the timer, Mika closed her eyes and took a deep breath, evaluating the state of her magic. After everything it was surprisingly acquiescent. It didn’t push at her or make her feel like she might just kill everyone if she got mad.
Thank Fates for all the yoga she’d done. Meditating was the only thing that had helped her manage over the years.
Three years.
And it wasn’t until she’d found out her father and brother had plans to take over the coven with Bradley Davis that she’d started to lose control again – unable to focus.
Had they known he was a rapist?
The bell went off and Mika’s eyes flew open. Audrey’s fingers were already painting runes into the air and Mika moved. A single movement and she sent a ball of energy at her dorm mate who blocked it with one hand, still building the offensive spell with the other.
She had been practicing.
Mika smiled under her scarf and sent two more bursts of energy at Audrey, but the other witch had top notch defensive skills. Mika could wear her down or maneuver Audrey into a situation where her concentration was broken, weakening her spells.
Fire was always scary when it was coming right at your face. Mika hadn’t had the opportunity to compress this spell as much. She made the two signs and spoke a single word, just barely managing to dodge the attack spell from Audrey. It hit one of the headstones behind her and the sound of the stone cracking was loud in the clearing.
Finnick and Ash were cheering them both on and Mika felt adrenaline coursing through her veins.
She’d missed this – the constant moves and counter moves required to play this game.
Taking a step forward advanced her toward Audrey, making the other witch feel defensive if Audrey’s complex attack spell was any indication. Mika’s eyes widened at the combination of three spells and dove just in time to avoid the crackling blast.
A swipe of her hand in the snow and one word caught Audrey at the ankles and the witch landed on her back. But her shield was still too strong and deflected Mika’s next attack.
“You need to get me on the defensive!” Mika yelled. “Stop shielding all the time. Build your power quicker and send the spells faster. You need to be faster!”
Audrey blasted another spell at Mika as she flipped back onto her feet – moving as she sent blasts around her shield.
The amount of improvement she’d had in just a week was astounding. Audrey was already able to use each hand for a different spell and do it while on the move.
“Yes!” Mika sent attack after attack toward Audrey. One blasted at the shield and the other met Audrey’s attack midway.
Mika couldn’t shield, but she could fight fire with fire.
Audrey grinned when she realized what Mika was doing. She dropped her shield and sent another blast of pure energy into the air.
Snow fell from the tree and dropped right down on Mika. Her eyes widened as she saw two spells coming for her at once. She crossed her forearms and spoke a single word in Sumerian – knowing it wasn’t going to hold.
The shield shimmered red just before the balls of energy blasted into her.
Mika flew back several feet and slammed into a headstone. It knocked the breath out of her and she sat there coughing, trying to get air back into her lungs.
“Mika!” More than one person yelled her name and she brushed the snow off her legs, still trying to breathe.
Hunter offered her his hand and she took it, letting him drag her to her feet.
“Are you okay?” Audrey asked, grabbing Mika by the shoulders and looking her up and down for damage. “Holy shit, I can’t believe I actually got you.”
She smiled at the other witch. “I’m out of practice and you’re really good. I think you’re ready.”
“Mika!”
Looking over Audrey’s shoulder she saw Ethan jogging toward them from the tree line. Hunter growled behind her.
“Be nice,” she hissed.
“That was insane,” Ethan told her, glancing at the foxes before focusing on her. “I didn’t realize you could play.”
“A little,” Mika said, making sure her gloves were still in place. She took a step back as Ethan got too close. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better despite nearly dying,” he said with a smirk, noting the scarf and the gloves. Ethan took the hint and didn’t try to get any closer. He watched as Ash and Finnick approached and then glanced at Hunter behind her. “Friends of yours?”
“I’m babysitting them,” Mika told him.
The look on his face was worth it.
Ethan’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me, what?”
“They’re Kenzie’s,” Mika explained, lips twitching as she tried not to laugh.
Audrey didn’t even bother; she was laughing so hard tears streamed down her face.
Mika rolled her eyes, but she smiled as Audrey leaned on Finnick when he got closer so she could wipe the tears from her face before they
froze. “Kenzie is taking Friday classes. We’re…friends. These are her mates – Hunter, Finnick, and Ash. Apparently they need babysitting.”
Hunter grinned and stepped forward, smiling that terrifying smile at Ethan. To his credit, Ethan didn’t back down, but he didn’t look exactly comfortable either. “Shifters? Cool, what kind of shifters are you?”
“Foxes,” Ash answered. “What kind of witch are you?”
No doubt the fox meant it as a jab, but Ethan smirked. “I’m a storm witch.”
“Play nice,” Mika warned.
“How do you know Mika?” Hunter asked, taking a step forward, maneuvering slightly in front of her.
She rolled her eyes.
They knew each other for all of a day and they were already interrogating boys for her.
Ethan actually laughed. “We have Advanced Poisons together and she almost killed me when she kissed me.” He gave Mika a wink. “Worth it.”
Finnick snorted. “He’s as dumb as we are.”
Hunter still didn’t move out of the way. “What are your intentions?”
Mika punched Hunter right in the back, but his only reaction was to glare at her over his shoulder. “It’s nothing serious,” Mika told him. “Leave him alone. I’m the one who’s supposed to be babysitting you.”
“Ouch,” Ethan said with a chuckle. “It’s cool Mika; I can play the long game.”
“Definitely stupid,” Ash agreed.
“But hot as hell,” Finnick said, looking Ethan up and down. “He’s taller than I am. I like it.”
For the first time since they met, she saw Ethan blush. He cleared his throat and avoided Finnick’s scrutiny as much as he could.
Mika was glad the scarf covered her face, hiding her grin. “I like them tall,” she agreed. Fates, Ethan was adorable. And still alive by some miracle.
“I was going to come see you at Oleander House,” Ethan said, eyeing Finnick as he took another step toward Mika. “But then I heard the shouts and came to see what was going on. Are you going to try out tomorrow?”
“Just me,” Audrey said, leaning against one of the headstones with a smirk. “Mika has been kind enough to train me though.”